US invests $116M into upgrading GDF’s Coast Guard facilities

The United States on Thursday stated that it has invested US$555,000 (G$$116 million) to renovate the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard Training Centre, Kingston and to construct a concrete boat pad at the Coast Guard Headquarters.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch attended a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony and toured the facility.
“This investment should leave no doubt as to how serious the United States considers the security of Guyana and its importance to the Region, as it will enable the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard to have better access to their patrol boats,” Ambassador Lynch said.
The investment was made as part of the US support to enhance the overall effectiveness of joint exercises between the United States and partner nations. Guyana hosted the 13-partner nation military exercise, Tradewinds 2021 and will host it again in 2023.

Tradewinds – a US Southern Command-sponsored combined joint exercise was conducted with partner nations in June to enhance the collective ability of defence forces and constabularies to counter transnational criminal organisations, conduct humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations.
The Tradewinds exercise also helps to develop strong relationships and reinforce human rights awareness. This exercise dates back to the mid-1980s.
Representatives from the United States and 12 partner nations – host nation Guyana, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Brazil, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago – participated in the 36th iteration of Tradewinds. The exercise commenced on June 12 and concluded on June 25.
Three hundred and fifty ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) trained in various military skills, including close-quarters combat.
Local ranks have also been trained in marksmanship, emergency medical evacuation, search-and-rescue and recovery, and mechanical and engineering repairs for both air and water transportation, among other areas.
Guyana was scheduled to host Tradewinds in 2020; however, the exercise was cancelled owing to COVID-19.